EMAILS - #6 "Semper Fi"

[I'm collecting the viral emails I receive]



To: Friend 3
Date: April 29, 2010
From: 
Subject: Re: Fw: Semper Fi

Hi Friend 3 !

A prayer chain for the military is a good thing!

Howsomever, Snopes, etc., say this email isn't factual -- that it started around 2003 -- that the names quoted are unknown to the military and the ACLU, and that the ACLU position is exaggerated.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_aclu_marines_praying.htm
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/marines.asp

Just for curiosity, I looked around and found this 2008 letter from the Maryland ACLU to the Naval Academy about compulsory prayer at lunch -- & here's a piece of it:

http://www.aclu.org/files/pdfs/religion/2008may05_lettertonavy.pd

"....Let me make clear at the outset that this request is not motivated by any hostility to voluntary religious exercises by Academy midshipmen, nor do we fail to recognize the important place religious faith holds among many in the military. Indeed, the ACLU has long defended the fundamental right of religious communities, families, and individuals -- including those in the armed services -- to practice their faith freely and openly. Rather, our objection is to compulsory religious services mandated by the government. As the Fourth Circuit put it in the Mellen case, this is 'precisely what the First Amendment forbids.'  Id. at 375.

" 'Put simply, [the Naval Academy's noon meal prayer] exacts an unconstitutional toll on the consciences of religious objectors. While the First Amendment does not in any way prohibit [midshipmen] from praying before, during, or after [lunch], the Establishment Clause prohibits [the U.S. Naval Academy] from sponsoring such a religious activity....'

"The midshipmen who have contacted the ACLU object to, and feel coerced against conscience by, the Academy's continued requirement that they stand in attendance during an official noon prayer. Plebes, in particular, find themselves in a difficult position during the noon prayer, if, as a matter of conscience, they do not wish to join in prayer. As you know, it is important for plebes to adhere as strictly as possible to official practices at the Academy, and not to 'stand out' as nonconformists. Yet, if a plebe fails to move from parade rest, to attention, to a position with head bowed head and hands folded, it is evident to all that he or she is not joining in the prayer. The situation is undeniably a coercive one for younger midshipmen, who are implicitly pressured into prayer by the senior midshipmen around them, as well as by the presence of a commissioned officer at the anchor. But even First Classmen have told us that it can be awkward and uncomfortable for them to remain at parade rest during the noon prayer....."


Lots to think about!!!! ....I wonder what the outcome was -- homework for tomorrow!

Thank you very much for the call to prayer! God bless the whole world!!!!!!!

Thanks for keeping me thinking!





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----- Original Message -----
From:
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Subject: Fwd: Semper Fi


From:
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2010
Subject: Fwd: Semper Fi
To:
CC:


From:
To:
Subject: Semper Fi
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2010

Semper Fi

ACLU vs. US Marines
THIS NEEDS TO GO AROUND THE USA MANY TIMES SO KEEP IT GOING

What's wrong with this picture? 
[See http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_aclu_marines_praying.htm Looks a little photoshopped....?]

If you look closely at the picture above, you will note that all the Marines pictured are bowing their heads. That's because they're praying.

This incident took place at a recent ceremony honoring the birthday of the corps, and it has the ACLU up in arms. "These are federal employees," says Lucius Traveler, a spokesman for the ACLU , "on federal property and on federal time..
For them to pray is clearly an establishment of religion, and we must nip this in the bud immediately."

When asked about the ACLU's charges, Colonel Jack Fessender, speaking for the Commandant of the Corps said (cleaned up a bit), "Screw the ACLU." GOD Bless Our Warriors. Send the ACLU to France !

Please send this to people you know so everyone will know how stupid the ACLU is getting in trying to remove GOD from everything and every place in America. May God Bless America , One Nation Under GOD!

What's wrong with the picture? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

GOD BLESS YOU FOR
PASSING IT ON!I am sorry, but I am not breaking this one....Let us pray

Prayer chain for our Military...please don't break it
THIS NEEDS TO GO AROUND THE USA MANY TIMES SO KEEP IT GOING